Mapua Chalets » kids

Ngarua Caves, Takaka Hill

admin — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:53:47 +0000

Our family thoroughly enjoyed exploring these caves. We loved the feeling of stepping back in time and wondering at the limestones features of stalactities and stalagmites. Our tour guide was great and really captivated the childrens interest.

Ngarua Cave was discovered by bushmen clearing the hillside of scrub, after a bushfire had destroyed the surrounding bush. The early settlers visited the cave by horse coach. As visitors destroyed and removed stalactites and wrote their names on the formations, the cave was locked up for several years. The latest development of the cave is a second entrance, allowing one way tours through the cave.

In awe of it all.

Having a feel of the rock in the touch zone

In the cave several remains of the famous birds of New Zealand were found. A complete skeleton of a Moa is on display.

But the limestone recrystallised which changed its grain and colour. The rock is about 450 Million years old. The

marble is quarried near Ngarua Cave and was used to build several buildings in New Zealand: Parliament Buldings, the Beehive in Wellington and the Nelson Cathedral.

stalactites and stalagmites

Andy, Ben and Hannah’s flight

karen — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:09:10 +0000

Andy, Ben and Hannah were really fortunate to go up for a flight over the Kahurangi this time. They loved it. They flew past MT Aurthur down to the Karamea on the West Coast before flying back to Motueka.

All Aboard!

Ben and Hannah getting on to the plane.

West coast

Flight to Karamea

Dancing at Mapua Easter Fair

karen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:34:00 +0000

The Dancing girls

Hannah and her friends Rebecca, Millie and Emily all performed a hip hop dance at the Mapua Easter Fair.

They were brilliant. I have to say a BIG THANK YOU to their teacher Emily Tate who runs Dance Inc. at Mapua Hills Community Church.

The start of the performance

The final Pose!

Mapua Easter Fair

karen — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:06:01 +0000

The Fair seemed to be bigger and better this year. Live bands playing music, children dancing, crafty stalls, plants stalls, great food, and some amazing bargins. Ben and Hannah had a fantastic time, but our wallet felt very empty at the end of the day!! They went on the swing ride, the ferris wheel, bumper cars, trampoline (with harnesses) They loved it.

Hannah on the trampolines

Ben on the trampoline

On the go-karts

Ben and Daniel in the Boxing ring

On the wheel

The swing

Sarau Festival

karen — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:47:56 +0000

The Sarau Festival was a great success again this year over in Upper Moutere. There were more things to entain the children as well as all the favourites for the adults. Tasting all the local products is great. I tried a few things that I am now hooked on such as Cheeses from the Neudorf Dairy – and I am now a fan of Elder flower cordial too.

The Sarau Festival

Ben loved the Whenuiti station where they had to stack and stand on as many crates as they could!!

Crate Stacking

Whoops

Hannah Loved the horse riding and the Lamas

Hannah horse riding

Lamas that the children could pet.

Family Picnic at McKee Domain, Ruby Bay

andy — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:05:12 +0000

The children having a great time

Finding crabs on Ruby bay beach

McKee Domain Picnic

Camping – Kayaking trip to Mutton Cove, Abel Tasman

andy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:45:50 +0000

The highlight of our summer holidays was definitely our kayaking trip to Mutton Cove where we got to stay one night.

We started at Tata beach in Golden bay and set off across the Wainui Inlet. Unfortunately the swell started to get up and it got a little scary! But a short rest on the first beach was excellent.

Ben resting on the beach - waiting for the waves to calm down.

We got to see quite a bit of wildlife. Out to sea opposite Whariwharangi beach we watched a seal thrashing an octopus about.

Hannah watching the seal thrashing an octopus

A little further on we spotted a little penguin.

The small dot in the water is a penguin!

Around separation point we saw a lot of seals

And the seals watched us!!

Andy and Ben heading into Mutton Cove

Even Hannahs Bear had to come!!

Dinner by the beach! Freshly caught Mussels!

Morning sunrise

Mutton Cove Beach

Christmas in NZ

andy — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:38:31 +0000

Christmas morning wasn’t quite the same without the rain and grey skies! but Santa still came and gave us lots of goodies!

Santa Hannah

Santa Hannah delivering her stockings to the guests

Santa Ben with Nelsie

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all the pressies

Santa Hannah with Skunky

Mapua Eagles win Gold

andy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:55:42 +0000

Ben and his friends win the Nelson and Bays 8th grade Football Championship

Ben and his friends from Mapua

Talking to the neighbours!

andy — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:59:53 +0000

Ben , Hannah and Dylan talking to the friendly horse at the entrance to our chalets.